Big Spring, one of the best cross country hang gliding competition flying sites in the world, is located in the Texas panhandle, USA. We usually fly big distances every day at Big Spring so be prepared physically.

Flying site

Big Spring, one of the best cross country hang gliding competition flying sites in the world, is located in the Texas panhandle, USA. We usually fly big distances every day at Big Spring so be prepared physically. This is not Europe.

Big Spring, the county seat of Howard County, is at the "crossroads" of Interstate Highway 20, U.S. Highway 87, State Highway 350, Farm Road 700, and the Missouri Pacific line. The City is in a rocky gorge where the northern limit of the Edwards Plateau and the southern most hills of the Caprock converge. It is named for the "big spring" in Sulphur Draw, a historical watering place for coyotes, wolves, and herds of buffalo, antelope, and mustangs.

The region consists of 904 square miles with a population density of 37.20 residents per square mile compared to a statewide density of 79.54. Howard County and Big Spring are located in an area where three ecological regions merge. To the north and east are the western Rolling Plains; to the south is the Edwards Plateau; and to the west are the southern High Plains (also known as the Llano Estacado or the Staked Plains). When we are there in August it is normally dry although there are occasional thunderstorms. The prevailing winds are out of the south, but August winds are normally calmer than other summer months. Cumulus clouds appears almost every day at about noon.

We only fly at Big Spring during the competition in early August. Cloudbase varies from 7,000’ MSL to 12,000’. Elevation at Big Spring is 2,500’. Thermals are normally 300 to 600 fpm (your climb rate), although they can be 900 – 1000 fpm. The prevailing wind is south, but we come for the light winds and hope to do mostly closed tasks.The inversion breaks around noon and we don’t start launching until we see the cu’s forming. Thermal activity lasts through 7 PM. We’ll normally start the tasks at 2 PM.

The reason why Big Spring is often called the best cross country hang gliding competition flying site in the world is proven by several record made there. For Example:

The longest task ever called and made in a competition was flown there with five pilots making goal – 215 miles (346 km).

Take off - 2,573 feet ASL - 32°13'5.93"N, 101°31'32.42"WWinds: Southerly 5 – 15 mphIt is located on the town airfield. Take off method: Dragonfly aerotow. 1 pilot at a time. Precautions: Stay west of the main runway. Don’t fly low over any of the prisons.

Landing - 2,500 feet ASLThere are plenty of places for landing in the area. Cotton fields, peanut fields, open plowed fields, grass and bushes in uncultivated areas. The towns are very spread out.

After the registration please follow your status on the Pilots tab. Here is an explanation of statuses:

Missing Requirements – Registered but we have not received (and reviewed) signed waivers and medical forms nor received payment.

Waiting for payment – Registered and received and reviewed signed waivers and medical form but not payment.

In progress – Registered and received payment but not signed (and reviewed) waivers and medical form.

Confirmed – Registered and received and reviewed signed waivers and medical form and payment.

Waiting list - (this is the default that Airtribune sets automatically when you register) probably we haven't yet set you as "Missing Requirements," which we do unless we see that you have done more than register. Otherwise the waiting list will be for pilots who are confirmed but not until after July 1st.

Pilots must be confirmed by July 1st. If not they will be moved to the waiting list (if confirmed) and allowed into the comp only as places are available.

Prize fund and scoring categories

Trophies as per USHPA rules.Daily prizes are given out from the sponsors.Depending on the number of entrants there may be prize money.

The hours are subject to change. Any changes before the start of the competition will be posted on the website. After the start of the competition, changes will be announced by the Meet Director at the Team Leaders briefing and posted on the official board at headquarters.

The daily schedule is subject to change. Any changes to the schedule before the start of the competition will be posted on the website. After the start of the competition, changes will be announced by the Meet Director at the Team Leaders briefing.

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